Entertaining experts share their secrets for relationship success
Sebastien and Sheila Centner coown Eatertainment Events, one of North America’s most sought-after event agencies. They are experts in couples entertaining and authored the entertaining guide and cookbook Eatertainment: Recipes and Ideas for Effortless Entertaining.
The dates
Sebastien: “Pre-Sheila, my dating life wasn’t that interesting. I was the geeky French kid. The dates that I did get never seemed to be much of what I really wanted or needed.”
Sheila: “I had a pretty normal dating life. I’m a very social, fun-loving person, but I never had my sights set on commitment.”
Sebastien: “We met at a goingaway party for a mutual friend at a club downtown over a very large number of shots. Initially Sheila didn’t really notice me and I was more interested in Sheila’s sister — that was, until I caught that Sheila smile and twinkle in her eyes; you could see she was someone who knew how to make the most of every moment. I asked her out for dinner the next night.
Sheila: “Of all the things, I noticed Seb’s manners.”
Sebastien: “I picked up Sheila at her apartment and happened to meet her dad, who I had a glass of wine and a cigarette with. I then took Sheila to dinner at a small French restaurant with a romantic setting. It was only thanks to my parents who went there often that I could get a reservation! The funny part about it was that we got there very late and they unknowingly gave away our table — to my parents. They had just happened to walk down from our nearby home and popped in for a quick bite. So Sheila and I waited at the bar for the next table and that’s where my parents first met Sheila.
My most vivid memories are sitting at the bar having a kir royale and thinking ‘pinch me I can’t believe this amazing woman is sitting across from me.’ ”
Sheila: “Sebastien checked all the boxes on the first date: flowers and wine, a proper pickup in a fabulous car, and reservations at the most trendy restaurant. We laughed and talked all night and the time flew by!”
Sebastien: “We met on a Friday, had dinner on the Saturday, we moved in together a week later, got engaged within a month, married within the year, and have now been together for 28 years. We didn’t really date very long but, then again, we feel like 28 years later, we’re still in the dating honeymoon phase.”
Sheila: “I love to travel, so I enjoy planning weekend getaways to keep things fresh. There’s nothing like exploring new locations with your partner; it takes all of the daily chores out of the way so you can really enjoy and focus on each other.”
Sebastien: “Even though we’ve been together 28 years, we are always doing something together. Oftentimes we find ourselves hosting friends, going out as a group, or being out with our sons, Colsen and Logan. We also love to spend time with just the two of us. Since we work so closely together in our business, it’s important for us to find those moments and avoid any risk of becoming just working partners. I love spending time one-onone with Sheila, and, lucky for me, she is also always pushing for us to do fun, exciting things together.”
Sheila: “Sometimes we get really into curating dates or special occasions to the max and other times we enjoy just going with the flow.”
Sebastien: “We are big advocates for putting in the effort to make things special and we think every couple needs to remember that. Sometimes we do get a bit lazy and, honestly, a night-in with pizza, rosé, a great movie or a chance to just binge-watch our favourite new series with our two dogs on the couch is sometimes exactly what we need.”
Sheila: “My pro tip for planning a great date would be not to try and change your partner. When planning, stay authentic to your partner and plan things you know they, and you, will enjoy.”
Sebastien: “Toronto has so many fun options for date nights, with the only caveat being that going out has gotten so expensive.
So here are my recos based on budget. If you’re going high-budget, try Antonio Park’s new restaurant at the top of Manulife Centre. It’s probably the most romantic and best meal I’ve had in the city lately. It’s a bit on the pricier side, so better for that special date, but as you sip a cocktail and enjoy dinner overlooking the city, there is no better spot.
If you want something mid-budget, try a King Street crawl, instead of committing to just one spot. Grab seats at the bar — Sheila and I love eating at the bar together and most of our going-out dates are sitting at bar stools.
If it was me, I would do Bar Chica for a cocktail and the patatas brava, Maxime’s for the oysters or petit wagyu burger, Ms. Likklemores for the deep-fried okra or jerk chicken, then Lapinou for one of their overthe-top desserts.
And if you’re on a budget, do a picnic in the park if you can! Pack up some baguette sandwiches, sneak in a bottle or thermal of rosé and ice, and lay out a blanket for a romantic park picnic. This will take more effort than money — but it’s the perfect way to spend time together.”